Q I have a friend aged 83 whose only income is a State pension of £90.01 a week. She pays full rent and Council Tax. As she has a savings account, she wonders if it would be worth her while claiming Pension Credit.

A With an income as modest as that, she would be eligible for Pension Credit if her savings were up to £33,000. If she has £16,000 or under, she would get full Housing and Council Tax Benefits as well.

Q When my mother passed away, I asked for help with the funeral cost from the Social Fund. They said no as I was not on Income Support. Is this correct?

A Those who are responsible for paying the cost of a funeral can only get help if they receive a qualifying benefit that indicates they are on a low income. Income Support is one of these benefits but help may also go to those on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit and certain people on Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.

Q I am 60 years old and on Incapacity Benefit of £72.15 a week. My wife, aged 58, earns £58.60 a week and we have savings of £13,000. Our Council Tax is £82 a month and we have no mortgage. Is there any help we can get?

A Once you reach 60, the benefit rules become more generous. Phone 0800 99 1234 to claim Pension Credit of about £26 a week, which will lead to a full Council Tax Rebate, making you £40 a week better off overall.

Q I am 59 years old with a private pension of £108.06 a week. With my capital the council says this gives me a total eligible weekly income of £112.06. They are allowing me weekly Council Tax Benefit of just 64p a week. Is this correct?

A It looks like you are a single non-disabled person, with a total Council Tax of about £620 for the year. If this is the case, then 64p a week benefit would be right. Once you reach 60, however, it will go up to more than £10 a week.